Peña's Finger Fracture Forces WBC Withdrawal, Astros' Infield Depth Could Prove Advantageous

Houston Astros star shortstop Jeremy Peña is expected to miss a minimum of two weeks with a fractured right finger. The club confirmed today that the injury occurred during yesterday's exhibition game in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, featuring the Dominican team against the Detroit Tigers.

This injury will force Peña to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic, which begins tomorrow. In yesterday's exhibition, starting at shortstop for the Dominican team, he was struck on the finger by a hard-hit ground ball from Wenceel Pérez in the third inning. He remained in the game to complete an at-bat, striking out, before being sent for X-rays.

Peña was diagnosed with the fracture today in Florida after an examination by a hand specialist. He will remain at the Astros' spring training facility with his finger immobilized in a splint.

"This isn't the news I wanted to hear," said Astros manager Joe Espada.

It remains unclear whether this injury will affect Peña's availability for Opening Day in three weeks. However, if any team can withstand an infielder's injury, it might be the Astros. They spent the entire offseason attempting to trade third baseman Isaac Paredes to alleviate their infield logjam.

Espada had indicated at the start of spring training a preference to keep Carlos Correa at third base, but stated today that Correa will start a few Grapefruit League exhibition games at shortstop. Nick Allen will continue to handle shortstop duties.

"We do have some good players on our roster, especially in the infield," Espada said. "We have guys who can hold down the fort now, and hopefully this absence won't be long. Until Peña returns, we have people who can manage the situation."

Astros veteran first baseman Christian Walker echoed the sentiment. "He's a core player for us, not easily replaced, but I believe we can get through this challenging period until he's back. I'm confident he'll bounce back quickly."

Peña, who took over at shortstop for Correa in 2022 and won World Series MVP that fall, had his best season last year, earning his first All-Star selection and being named team MVP for the first time. Primarily batting leadoff over 125 games, he posted a .304/.363/.477 slash line with 17 home runs, 62 RBI, and 20 stolen bases.

Peña missed the entire month of July last year, including the All-Star Game, with a rib fracture, and was sidelined again in the final week of the regular season with a left oblique strain. These injuries contributed to ending the Astros' eight-year playoff streak, as Houston ultimately fell one game short of the postseason.

Peña was one of only three Astros players scheduled for this year's Classic, alongside Zach Dezenzo (Italy) and Shay Whitcomb (Korea)—Whitcomb hit two home runs in Korea's win over the Czech Republic on Thursday. José Altuve (Venezuela) and Correa (Puerto Rico) had initially agreed to participate but withdrew due to insurance issues. Altuve fractured his right thumb in the 2023 Classic, missing the first 43 games of the regular season.

The Astros have been actively shopping Paredes throughout the offseason and spring training to address their infield surplus, but those plans may now be put on hold until Peña's injury situation becomes clearer.

Paredes, acquired from the Cubs in the December 2024 Kyle Tucker trade, was an All-Star for Houston last year. In 93 games, he slashed .259/.359/.470, leading the team with 19 home runs and 50 RBI while ranking among league leaders in walks, until suffering a severe right hamstring strain in Seattle on July 19. By the time Paredes returned two months later, the Astros had traded for Correa from the Twins and shifted him to third base, creating an infield logjam that may now become an asset for Houston.